Black Butte

Type: 20′ L-4 tower
Status: Abandoned
Elevation: 6,235 feet
Visited: June 10, 2016

After visiting Ritter Butte the FFLA group caravaned up to Black Butte. From Highway 395 we drove county road 88 to Road 3955 then up to Road 3956 then up Road 034. The last couple miles of road were in horrible shape. It was very rough and very rutted and there was one big mudhole as well. My Outback never would have made it, so I’m glad I was riding with Jim and Andrea in their truck.

Black Butte Lookout

A tower has stood here since 1933. It is rarely used now and it can’t be staffed during high winds. It might be considered as an addition to the lookout rental program, but if that happens it’ll take years. It needs a lot of work.

Black Butte Lookout

Black Butte Lookout

History

The Spring 2014 issue of Lookout Network reported: “The Malheur NF would like to get Black Butte Lookout, a 1933 L-4 cab on a 15′ tower, repaired and staffed fulltime. The original pole tower legs were replaced many decades ago with treated timber legs, and the original shutter system was phased out with a permanent roof overhang, but minimal maintenance has been done since, resulting in several structural issues. Estimates to have the tower repaired are far behond any available money in the district’s current or future budget. Heritage has little interest in the structure due to all the modifications over the years. Engineering is on the cusp of declaring the lookout condemned.”